Inhibition of egg hatching with apple wax solvent as a novel method for controlling golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata)

Golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) is an important pest of rice in Asia. Among chemicals screened for ability to inhibit hatching of snail eggs, morpholine which is a solvent of apple wax was very effective in suppressing hatching of snail eggs. At a concentration of 60%, or higher, morpholine completely suppressed egg hatching in the laboratory and outdoor conditions. Scanning electron microscopy of egg surface suggested that morpholine probably caused suffocation of the embryo by forming an impermeable film covering the egg surface.